Yangon: The official death toll from Myanmar's devastating May 3 cyclone has climbed to 43,318, state television reports.

The figure was broadcast tonight and was almost 5,000 more than the number released yesterday by the military government. The number of missing has remained at 27,838 for at least two days.

The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies estimated yesterday that the total death toll may be between 68,833 and 1,27,990. The UN has said more than 1,00,000 may have died.

The UN and the Red Cross say 1.6 million to 2.5 million people are in urgent need of food, water and shelter. Only 2,70,000 have been reached so far by aid groups.

Source : PTI